Ryanair sets monthly passenger record despite air traffic control strikes
That is up 3% from 20.2 million during the same month last year.
Its load factor – which represents the average proportion of seat filled on its aircraft – was stable at 96%.
Ryanair said it operated more than 113,000 flights in July and cancelled 680, mainly because of French controller strikes.
French ATC staff took industrial action on July 3 and 4 in a dispute over working conditions.
As well as disrupting flights to and from French airports, the walkouts affected flights scheduled to travel over French airspace.
This meant many services to or from UK airports were delayed or cancelled.
EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis previously described the French strikes as 'very, very disruptive' as they forced the airline to cancel 660 flights and cost it £15 million.
Around 70% of easyJet's flights either fly to or from a French airport, or over the country's airspace.
European air traffic management body Eurocontrol estimated the strikes affected more than one million passengers.
Meanwhile, a radar fault suffered by UK ATC provider Nats led to more than 100 UK flights being cancelled on July 30.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Europe's oldest neighbourhood creates 'intervention unit' to snitch on tourists
In 2024, some 7 million international tourists visited Athens. This year, 10 million people are expected to take to the streets of Greece's ancient capital. It's no secret that tourism has played a key role in boosting Greece's economy since the 2008 financial crisis. However, there's now concern about overtourism — a problem several other European destinations are also facing. But Plaka, the oldest continuously inhabited district in Europe — also dubbed 'Neighbourhood of the Gods' due to its proximity to the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site — is feeling the heat more than most. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas told AFP that while he is happy to see people coming to the city, areas like Plaka are becoming 'saturated with tourists.' Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'We are not yet at the stage of Barcelona, but we must act before it is too late.' For context, the Spanish city has been gripped by anti-tourism protests, with activists chanting 'Go home!' and drenching visitors with water pistols. And in Plaka, known for its Ottoman-era landmarks and Byzantine churches, footfall is increasing. This has led to narrow streets being blocked, the constant screeches of suitcases, and local businesses becoming overwhelmed with the number of tourists. Alexandra Dubakova, travel expert with FreeTour, visited Athens for the third time last month. She told Metro that the district is facing too much congestion, and that long-time residents are being priced out. To tackle these issues, a local 'intervention unit' has been created to enforce rules with the support of the police. Residents now have the power to report businesses taking over public spaces or cars parked illegally on pavements. Alexandra, who first travelled to Athens in 2019, told us that Plaka is 'almost unrecognisable' to her. 'The first time, it had a gentle charm,' she recalled. 'I walked through Anafiotika in the morning and loved seeing the locals chatting on their balconies. There were a few souvenir stalls and quiet cafes, barbershops and grocers that the locals preferred.' However, in July, the 'balance had cracked.' By midday, she said tour groups had overshadowed the locals. Alexandra watched one group spill into a residential side alley where a grandmother trying to carry groceries went unnoticed. 'The volume of tourists is up, yet awareness seems to have faded.' Alexandra also noted that local shops have morphed into souvenir outlets, and that owners are having to stay open after hours to keep up with the crowds. 'Trash bins are overflowing, and delivery vans barely get through the foot traffic.' Athens is not yet at Barcelona-level overcrowding. However, Alexandra said that if it continues on this path with no caps on group sizes and unrestricted rentals, it is headed there, fast. Jaroslaw Grabczak, Head of Commercial Product at Thomas Cook and eSky Group, told Metro that similar patterns are emerging across Greece. He said congestion in historic centres, under pressure water and waste systems, and residents' frustration are now the norm. These impacts are no longer confined to peak summer months, either. The expert said shoulder seasons are also becoming saturated due to flexible travel habits and the rise of digital nomadism. More Trending Jaroslaw added: 'What Greece needs now is a collaborative approach: smart regulation of short-term rentals, better management of cruise traffic, and investments in green urban mobility.' Just as importantly, travellers themselves must be encouraged — through education and incentives — to explore more consciously. The goal isn't to limit tourism, but to ensure it remains a force for good: enriching local communities and protecting cultural heritage. 'The future of places like Plaka depends on a simple, yet critical choice. Do we want to be tourists who just visit, or travellers who truly care?' Greece has rolled out a series of anti-tourism rules and fees. As it stands, the main ones are: • Cruise passengers disembarking at Mykonos or Santorini between June 1 and September 30 will face a fee of €20 (£17.35) each. Those who come ashore throughout the rest of the year will be charged between €4 (£3.47) and €12 (£10.41) • For other ports across Greece's six island groups, the amount will be €5 (£4.34) in summer, €3 (£2.60) during shoulder season and €1 (87p) in the winter months • The Acropolis has a visitor cap of 20,000 people per day • 70% of public beaches must remain free of sunbeds • It is illegal to collect seashells from beaches. Fines can reach up to €1,000 (£869) • Greece's tourist tax — the Climate Resilience Levy — applies to anyone staying in paid accommodation, including Airbnbs, hotels, and villas. It's charged per room, per night, not per person. MORE: Inside the Mediterranean 'naked city' where nudity on the beach is mandatory MORE: British woman missing in Greece was 'warned not to swim into deep water' MORE: I found a lively European city break that cost me £61 a day – hotel included
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Ryanair boarding pass policy to change to paperless system
From November, the budget airline will be moving to paperless boarding passes. This means that passengers will no longer download and print a physical paper boarding pass. Here is all you need to know about the change and how it will affect you. What's the best seat to book on a plane? Ryanair boarding pass policy to change to paperless system Currently, Ryanair offers different options regarding its boarding passes. Customers can print out a physical paper boarding pass at home to bring with them, or by using the app, can get a 'mobile pass'. There is also an option to request a paper boarding pass at the airport for £55. As of November, later this year, Ryanair will introduce a new boarding pass policy, which will not allow its passengers to print physical paper copies. Ryanair passengers will use the digital boarding pass generated in their 'myRyanair' app during check-in instead. While the internet is needed to access the boarding pass, once downloaded, it can be displayed without internet. When discussing the possibility of a phone dying or breaking at an airport, Ryanair told Which? that they will be "assisted by staff at the gate" and their details will be "cross-checked and validated against our flight manifest and boarded as normal". Ryanair says almost 80% of the airline's 200 million passengers already use this digital boarding pass, and that the move will enable passengers to reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating unnecessary paper, saving over 300 tonnes in paper waste each year. It also said that using the myRyanair app also "enhances customers' travel experience". Other app functions include an order to seat feature, live flight information and updates, terminal, gate and boarding status updates, and more. On the change, Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said previously: 'This move to 100% paperless boarding passes will allow us to deliver an enhanced travel experience for customers. "Like other ticket industries (concert, sports venues, rail, etc.) there has been a massive switch to using mobile, and with almost 80% of Ryanair customers already using the myRyanair app, it is time to transition the remaining passengers to digital, which will see them reduce their carbon footprint and receive a smoother and enhanced travel experience." Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed It is important to note that Turkey and Morocco do not accept mobile boarding passes yet, according to Ryanair's website. So if you are travelling to these countries, you will still need to print a copy off if you're heading to either of those countries. Other changes to Ryanair policy The upcoming change is not the only one Ryanair has seen, with the airline also increasing the size of the underseat 'free bag' following an EU rule change. It currently allows people a small "personal bag" that must fit under the seat in front for free, which must be less than 40x25x20cm. Recommended reading: Under new rules, this would increase to 40x30x20cm. Despite it only being a 5cm increase, the volume will be 24 litres instead of 20 litres. The date for the change isn't clear yet, but Ryanair said the change would be "implemented over the coming weeks, as our airport bag sizers are adjusted" - and would mean it's exceeding the EU's recommended minimum size.
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Exciting summer deals at popular Newport homes development
One developer has launched a range of summer offers on selected homes at its Royal Victoria Court development in Newport. The development, by Lovell Homes, is on the site of the former Whiteheads steelworks. It comprises 264 new homes, including two, three and four-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom apartments. As part of the summer sale, homebuyers can save up to £15,000 on selected four-bedroom Redbourne and Stockwood homes. The Redbourne style home is available within the offer at Plot 423 and Plot 428, previously priced at £374,995 and now available for £359,995. The Redbourne features a living room, contemporary kitchen and dining area with French doors opening onto the garden, and a cloakroom on the ground floor. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, one with an suite, and a family bathroom. The Stockwood is available at Plot 422 and Plot 429, which are also priced at £359,995, down from £374,995, and include a shower over bath package, upgraded kitchen and tile choices, and flooring throughout. Suzie Hewitt, regional sales director at Lovell Homes, said: 'We are delighted to be having our summer sale at Royal Victoria Court. The development has already proven popular with buyers, and we're confident these incentives will make it even easier for people to take that next step towards owning a beautiful new home in Newport. 'I'd encourage anyone considering buying in the area to get in touch to secure their perfect home.' Royal Victoria Court is being delivered by Lovell in partnership with Tirion Homes and with support from Welsh Government. The development consists of 528 properties, including 264 open market sale homes and 234 affordable homes for rent with Tirion Homes, alongside an additional 30 properties for low-cost home ownership through Hedyn (formerly Melin Homes). To find out more to or call 01633 928856.
